linkgo
Yap

Yap

AI

Fast, private, open-source voice dictation for macOS that turns speech into text anywhere you can type, fully on-device.

-(0 Reviews)
Free Available
Starting from Free

About Yap

Yap is a free, open-source dictation app for macOS built by Frigade. It uses Apple's on-device Speech framework to transcribe voice into text anywhere you can type, from a terminal to a browser, with no account, no API key, no audio ever leaving your Mac, and no telemetry. One rebindable global shortcut starts and stops recording, and the transcribed text is pasted into whatever field currently has focus. It works fully offline, keeps a local searchable history of every transcript on the Mac, and is distributed via Homebrew and GitHub. The Frigade team built it internally to prompt coding agents, write emails, and fire off Slack messages faster, and open-sourced it under the MIT license.

Screenshots

Yap screenshot 1
+

Key Features

On-Device Transcription: Runs on Apple's on-device Speech framework so audio and transcripts never touch the network.
Global Shortcut: One rebindable hotkey to start and stop dictation from any application on macOS.
Pastes Into Focused Field: Text lands in whatever field you were in, whether Terminal, browser, chat app, or code editor.
Works Offline: No network code at all, so you can dictate on a plane or with no signal.
Local Searchable History: Every transcript is saved on the Mac and searchable for reuse.
Homebrew Install: Distributed via Frigade's Homebrew tap for a one-command install on Apple Silicon Macs.
MIT Open Source: Source code is on GitHub under the MIT license so you can audit or fork it.
Private by Default: No account, no API key, no telemetry, and no audio leaving the machine.

Use Cases

Prompting Coding Agents by Voice: Dictate longer prompts into Claude Code, Cursor, or ChatGPT without typing.
Fast Slack and Email Drafting: Fire off Slack messages and emails hands-free while multitasking.
Offline Dictation on Travel: Dictate notes on a flight or in a low-connectivity environment with no cloud dependency.
Terminal Dictation: Speak commit messages or long shell commands directly into a terminal window.
Privacy-Sensitive Writing: Dictate confidential notes, medical, or legal content that must never leave the machine.
Everyday macOS Productivity: Replace typing in browsers, chat apps, and note-taking apps with voice for anyone who prefers speaking.

Frequently asked questions about Yap

What is Yap?

Yap is a fast, private, open-source voice dictation tool for macOS that converts speech into text wherever you can type, operating entirely on-device. This eliminates the need for internet connectivity and ensures user data remains secure and private.

Key Points

  • Open-Source: Yap is developed as an open-source project, promoting community collaboration and transparency.
  • On-Device Processing: It operates entirely on your device, enhancing privacy and speed.
  • Versatile Usage: Compatible with any application where text input is required, making it highly adaptable.

Detailed Explanation

Yap harnesses advanced speech recognition technology to provide seamless voice dictation capabilities on macOS systems. Users can dictate text into various applications, from word processors to email clients, without needing an internet connection. This is particularly beneficial for those who prioritize privacy, as all data processing occurs locally.

Yap's open-source nature means that developers can customize it to fit specific needs, contributing to a growing community of users and developers. This flexibility allows for modifications and enhancements, making Yap a dynamic tool in the voice dictation landscape.

Use Cases

  • Writers and Bloggers: Quickly draft articles or blog posts by dictating ideas and content.
  • Students and Researchers: Take notes during lectures or while reading, enhancing productivity.
  • Professionals: Compose emails or reports hands-free, streamlining workflow.

Best Practices / Tips

  • Practice Clear Speech: For optimal accuracy, speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
  • Use Punctuation Commands: Familiarize yourself with commands for punctuation to improve readability (e.g., saying “period” for a full stop).
  • Regular Updates: Keep an eye on updates from the Yap community to benefit from new features and improvements.

Additional Resources

How does Yap work?

Yap is a voice dictation tool for macOS that operates entirely offline, utilizing Apple’s on-device Speech framework. It allows users to dictate text into any application with a global hotkey, ensuring privacy and ease of use while maintaining a searchable history of transcripts for efficient reuse.

Key Points

  • On-Device Transcription: Ensures privacy by processing speech locally.
  • Global Shortcut: A customizable hotkey for quick access.
  • Offline Functionality: Dictate without any internet connection.

Detailed Explanation

Yap leverages cutting-edge technology to provide a seamless dictation experience on macOS. Here’s how it works in detail:

  1. On-Device Transcription: Yap uses Apple's Speech framework to transcribe audio locally, meaning your voice data is never sent over the internet. This feature is critical for users concerned about privacy, especially when dealing with sensitive information such as medical or legal documents.

  2. Global Shortcut: Users can set up a single, customizable keyboard shortcut that activates Yap from any application. Whether you're in a chat app, email client, or code editor, simply pressing the designated key allows you to start or stop dictation instantly.

  3. Pasting Into Focused Field: Once you've dictated your text, it will automatically paste into the active field of the application you are using. This feature enhances productivity, allowing for seamless transitions between applications without the need for manual copying or pasting.

  4. Offline Functionality: Yap is designed for use in various environments, including flights or areas with limited connectivity. Since it operates entirely offline, you can dictate notes, commands, or messages without worrying about connectivity issues.

  5. Local Searchable History: All transcripts are stored locally on your Mac, allowing you to search through past dictations easily. This feature is especially useful for recalling previously dictated commands or notes, enhancing workflow efficiency.

  6. Specialized Use Cases: Yap is particularly beneficial for professionals who need to dictate longer prompts into AI coding agents like Claude Code, Cursor, or ChatGPT. It's also ideal for drafting emails and Slack messages hands-free, making it perfect for multitasking environments.

  7. Terminal Dictation: Developers can use Yap to dictate commit messages or complex shell commands directly into a terminal window, streamlining the coding process.

Best Practices / Tips

  • Customize Your Shortcut: Choose a global shortcut that is easy to remember and access, minimizing interruptions during your workflow.
  • Practice Dictation: Spend some time familiarizing yourself with Yap’s voice recognition capabilities to improve accuracy.
  • Utilize Search Feature: Regularly save and categorize your transcripts to enhance the searchability of important notes or commands.
  • Stay Updated: Regularly check for updates to ensure you're benefiting from the latest features and enhancements.

Additional Resources

What are the main features of Yap?

Yap offers several key features for seamless dictation on macOS, including on-device transcription for privacy, a global shortcut for easy access, offline functionality, and a searchable local history of transcripts. This makes it ideal for users needing efficient, reliable dictation without internet dependency.

Key Points

  • On-Device Transcription: Ensures privacy by processing audio locally.
  • Global Shortcut: Allows quick dictation initiation via a customizable hotkey.
  • Offline Capability: Dictation is available anywhere, regardless of internet access.

Detailed Explanation

Yap is designed to enhance the dictation experience on macOS, leveraging Apple’s on-device Speech framework. This means all audio processing occurs on your device, ensuring that your data remains private and secure. No audio data is transmitted over the network, making it a great choice for users concerned about confidentiality.

  1. On-Device Transcription: By using Apple’s technology, Yap guarantees that your dictation is swift and secure. This feature is especially beneficial for professionals who handle sensitive information, such as legal or medical practitioners.

  2. Global Shortcut: Yap allows users to set a single rebindable hotkey, which can be used to start and stop dictation from any application. Whether you're composing an email, coding, or chatting, this feature enables a fluid workflow without the need to switch applications.

  3. Offline Functionality: One of Yap's standout features is its complete offline capability. You can dictate without an internet connection, making it perfect for travel, remote work, or areas with unreliable service. This feature ensures that your productivity isn’t hampered by connectivity issues.

  4. Local Searchable History: Yap saves every transcript locally on your Mac, allowing for easy retrieval and reuse. This feature is particularly useful for users who frequently reference past notes or conversations. You can quickly search for keywords within your transcripts, streamlining your workflow further.

Best Practices / Tips

  • Customize Your Shortcut: Make the global shortcut easily accessible by choosing a key combination that you can remember easily.
  • Utilize the Local History: Regularly check your local searchable history to find past dictations that you can reuse or reference.
  • Practice Dictation: Spend time getting used to the dictation feature to improve accuracy and fluency. The more you use it, the better it understands your speech patterns.

Additional Resources

Who is Yap for?

Yap is designed for a wide range of users, including developers, busy professionals, travelers, and those who prioritize privacy. It enhances productivity by allowing voice dictation for coding, drafting messages, and taking notes in various environments, all while ensuring sensitive information stays secure.

Key Points

  • Developers and Coders: Enables hands-free coding by dictating prompts and commands.
  • Busy Professionals: Streamlines communication by allowing quick drafting of emails and messages.
  • Travelers and Privacy-Conscious Users: Facilitates offline dictation and secure note-taking.

Detailed Explanation

Yap serves multiple user segments by providing a versatile voice dictation solution that enhances productivity and privacy.

  1. Developers and Coders: For software developers, Yap allows the dictation of longer prompts into AI tools like Claude Code, Cursor, or ChatGPT. This means developers can focus on their coding tasks without the distraction of typing. For instance, when working on a project, a developer can dictate complex queries or commands, enabling them to maintain their flow.

  2. Busy Professionals: Yap is perfect for professionals who juggle multiple tasks. With its capability for fast Slack and email drafting, users can fire off messages hands-free. This feature is particularly useful during meetings or while multitasking, allowing users to keep communication flowing without losing concentration on their primary tasks.

  3. Travelers and Privacy-Conscious Users: Yap is invaluable for those who travel frequently. It allows users to dictate notes and ideas during flights or in areas with low connectivity, eliminating reliance on cloud services. Furthermore, Yap is ideal for writing sensitive information, such as medical and legal notes, as it processes data locally, ensuring privacy and security.

Best Practices / Tips

  • Optimize Your Voice Commands: Use clear, concise language when dictating to enhance accuracy.
  • Familiarize Yourself with Shortcuts: Learn the specific commands for terminal dictation to improve efficiency.
  • Regularly Update Your Software: Ensure you’re using the latest version of Yap for improved features and security enhancements.
  • Practice Dictation: Spend time getting comfortable with the software to maximize its potential, especially in high-pressure environments.

Additional Resources

How much does Yap cost?

Yap is completely free to use for all users. There are no hidden fees or subscription costs, allowing individuals and businesses to leverage Yap's features without any financial commitment. This makes it a highly accessible tool for enhancing productivity and communication.

Key Points

  • Yap offers a free-to-use model with no subscription fees.
  • Users can access all core features without any costs.
  • The platform focuses on maximizing productivity and communication efficiency.

Detailed Explanation

Yap is an innovative AI tool designed to streamline communication and enhance productivity. Users can take advantage of its features without worrying about any financial obligations. The free model is particularly beneficial for startups, freelancers, and anyone looking to optimize their workflow without incurring additional expenses.

With Yap, users can perform tasks such as transcribing conversations, generating summaries, and managing schedules effortlessly. For instance, a small business owner can utilize Yap to transcribe client meetings for free, ensuring they capture vital information without needing expensive software.

Additionally, Yap's user-friendly interface makes it accessible for individuals at any tech-savvy level. It is compatible with various devices, allowing users to integrate it into their daily routines seamlessly. Whether you are a student needing to record lectures or a project manager tracking team meetings, Yap provides the necessary tools without any cost barriers.

Best Practices / Tips

  • Explore All Features: Take advantage of Yap's full range of features to maximize your productivity. Experiment with different functionalities to find what works best for your needs.
  • Stay Updated: Regularly check for any new features or updates that Yap may introduce. While it’s currently free, staying informed will help you make the most of the tool.
  • Utilize Feedback: Engage with Yap’s community or support if you have questions or suggestions. User feedback can lead to improved functionalities that benefit everyone.

Additional Resources

How do I get started with Yap?

To get started with Yap, visit frigade.com/yap to sign up for an account. Once registered, you can explore Yap's features, integrate it into your workflow, and begin creating AI-driven applications with ease.

Key Points

  • Easy Sign-Up Process: Register quickly through the Yap website.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Navigate Yap’s features without technical expertise.
  • Integration Options: Seamlessly connect Yap with existing tools and platforms.

Detailed Explanation

Yap is an advanced AI tool designed to streamline various tasks, making it accessible for users of all skill levels. To begin, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Website: Go to frigade.com/yap to access the platform.
  2. Create an Account: Click on the sign-up button and provide your email, create a password, and confirm your registration.
  3. Explore the Dashboard: After logging in, familiarize yourself with the user-friendly dashboard that displays all available features.
  4. Choose Your Application: Select from various applications such as chatbots, content generation, or data analysis, depending on your needs.
  5. Integrate with Other Tools: Yap supports integration with popular platforms like Slack, Google Sheets, and more, enhancing your workflow.

For example, if you want to create a chatbot, you can easily set it up with predefined templates and customize it according to your business needs.

Best Practices / Tips

  • Start Small: If you're new to AI tools, begin with simple projects to build confidence.
  • Utilize Tutorials: Make use of the available tutorials and documentation to enhance your understanding of Yap's functionalities.
  • Experiment with Features: Don’t hesitate to explore different features within Yap to discover innovative ways to leverage AI in your work.
  • Stay Updated: Regularly check for updates and new features that Yap may offer to optimize your usage.

Additional Resources

Explore more AI Ai Tools tools

Browse all Ai Tools tools →

Browse by use case: Voice & Audio

Compare Yap: vs Halo by Scam AI · vs Cleanlist AI · vs Screencap · vs OpenCodeReview